New Build (spread over several months)

[SWT]

Hi y'all,

I am in the process of building my wife and me a new computer, and I am seeking advice. I plan on buying the parts over the next several months to spread the cost out. I don't plan on overclocking. The computer will be used for: internet surfing, Microsoft Office usage, gaming, which range from Nancy Drew (wife) to Brothers in Arms series (me), plus others. I haven't set a budget, but I don't won't to buy the most expensive. This is what I am thinking about spending per part:

-MB: spent $114.99 after MIR
-CPU: $ 150 ish
-HD 1: $95 ish
-HD 2: $150 ish
-GPU: $275 ish
-DVD Burner: spent $29.99 (plus shipping)
-DVD ROM: spent $19.99 (plus shipping)
-FLOPPY: spent $7.49 (plus shipping)
-Windows: spent $69.99 (plus tax and shipping)
-New PSU: spent $79.99 after MIR

I can spend more if I need to, less if I need to. (The MB should be able to support 2 GPU's, I don't plan on buying a second card any time soon, but want the option to do so in the future.)

This is what I currently have:

-case: CoolerMaster RC-631 (my case is black)
-ram: 2x2 GB DDR 2 PC 6400 Crucial
-PSU: 500 W Thermaltake Pure Power
-Windows: XP MCE 2005

Now, I may need to upgrade my power supply because I like the GTX 260 graphics card.

-New PSU
-Floppy Drive
-DVD Rom
-DVD Burner
-MB: Gigabyte GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775
NEED


(I am open to other suggestions too.)
-GPU: XFX GTX 260 Black Edition
-HD 1: 1 TB (storage for games, music, etc.)
-HD 2: Suggestions? (I am thinking somewhere along the lines of this.) (Operating system, Office documents, etc.)
-CPU: I am thinking about a Core 2 Duo




Thank you for taking the time to help me.

SWT

 

[SWT]

Any suggestions, please?

Thanks,

SWT

 

[deathsycthehe11]

I'm assuming your looking for the best bang for your buck. This is what I got so far.

CPU - Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819115037

MB - GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128358&Tpk=UD3P

HD - Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319
Don't waste money on a raptor, this drive perform just as fast.

GPU - either 260 or this ( SAPPHIRE Radeon HD 4870 1GB )
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102801

Optical Drive -
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151173

And if you want a better PS - CORSAIR 650TX 650W or you can check the PC Power and Cooling 750 RED power supply, not sure if they still have that deal.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139005

EDIT - Newegg still have the deal for the PC Power and Cooling.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817341011

 

[shortstuff_mt]

You'd be good with either one of those Evga boards.

You should stay away from those old Raptor drives. The current 7200 RPM drives are just as fast and offer far greater capacities.

Western Digital Caviar Black WD6401AALS 640GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136319&Tpk=wd6401aals $79.99

Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136284 $119.99

The E8400 is a great choice.

I really like Samsung optical drives. DVD burners are so cheap, if you want two drives you might as well just pick up two burners.

SAMSUNG 22X DVD Burner Black SATA Model SH-S223F - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827151171 $25.99

LG 22X DVD±R DVD Burner with LightScribe Black SATA Model GH22LS30 - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136153 $25.99

I like having two different brands since sometimes one brand will read certain disks better than another.

Is there a reason you want to stick with XP? I would highly recommend 64-bit Vista since a 32-bit OS can't fully use 4GB of RAM. You'd get more like 3GB with the GPU you chose. Since SP1, Vista is a very stable, fast OS. I personally run Vista on two machines and the only time I've ever seen a BSOD is when I pushed an overclock too high.

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 64-bit for System Builders - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116488 $99.99

 

[SWT]

Thank y'all for all the replys so far.

I just purchased: Windows XP MCE 2005 for $69.99 (plus shipping and tax)

I just purchased from Newegg:
-PSU
-DVD Rom
-DVD Burner
-http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16821103203

shortstuff_m:

I am sticking with XP because I like it, and I am just not a fan of Vista. I may upgrade to Windows 7 when that comes out. I like your idea about having 2 different brands for drives. The reason I was thinking I needed just a DVD-rom drive is that I have had difficulty ripping a DVD to my HD from the DVD burner drive, but did not have trouble from my DVD-rom drive. I like your suggestions for HDs'.

deathsycthehe11:

I am leaning on purchasing the deal for the PC Power and Cooling from Newegg this afternoon (as long as it is still in stock.) Thanks for help on that decision.

Thanks again everyone.

SWT

 

[SWT]

Hi y'all,

I just purchased my MB from Newegg last night. It was the GIGABYTE GA-EP45-UD3P LGA 775. After the MIR, the price came to $114.99.
Did I make a good decision?

Also, I am thinking about buying my HDs' next month, either the CPU or GPU the following month, then the CPU or GPU the month after that. (I tried to get inon Buy.com's EVGA GTX 280 but had my order canceled..... So, if I come across a great deal, my time table could change.)
SWT